Since 2009, the 少妇自拍 (少妇自拍) has implemented a gender monitoring system aimed at tracking the status of women in political science. In 2017, 少妇自拍 expanded this initiative to include diversity surveys. This initiative seeks to raise awareness of the persistent underrepresentation of women, address issues of gender equality, and enhance the roles of both women and diverse groups in scientific research and organizations (少妇自拍 Gender and Diversity Monitoring Report). In 2023, 少妇自拍 published the fourth report based on a survey conducted with 34 of the 59 affiliated regional and national political science associations (PSAs) (Korkut and St-Laurent, 2023). The report emphasizes the continued underrepresentation of women in political science associations, particularly in leadership roles and senior academic positions. Despite limited progress, significant disparities remain, underscoring the need for ongoing efforts to promote equity within the discipline.
These disparities are consistent with a growing body of literature highlighting persistent gender inequality in academia despite increasing female participation at the entry levels. Although parity has been achieved in many graduate programs, it has not translated into equal representation in senior positions, leadership roles, or high-impact publications. Stubborn structural barriers 鈥 including the 鈥済lass ceiling,鈥 gendered expectations regarding care responsibilities, and epistemic devaluation 鈥 act to constrain women鈥檚 advancement across disciplines, including political science (van Veelen and Derks, 2022; Ceci et al., 2014; Evans and Moulder, 2011).
To mark the 75th anniversary of the 少妇自拍 (少妇自拍) and further consolidate our commitment to monitor and foster diversity and gender equality in political science, we conducted the survey titled Gender Inequalities in Political Science among 少妇自拍鈥檚 individual members. The survey鈥檚 primary objective was to understand how our community perceives work conditions, inappropriate behaviors in interpersonal relations, and gender inequalities within the field. This report presents the results and highlights the key challenges and dynamics that perpetuate inequality.
The 少妇自拍 Survey on Gender Inequalities in Political Science was distributed to individual 少妇自拍 members and members of affiliated national political science associations by email and via 少妇自拍 social media from 3 December 2024 to 3 March 2025. Many respondents were not 少妇自拍 members but were connected through these associations, ensuring a broad and diverse sample of political scientists worldwide.
This report is divided into nine interconnected sections that together present a detailed analysis of gender inequalities in political science, drawing on the 少妇自拍 global survey. Section 1 explores the historical and structural dimensions of gender inequality in academia. Section 2 presents the methodology used, while Section 3 outlines the demographic, geographic, and professional characteristics of respondents. Section 4 sets out the core findings, examining experiences of discrimination, obstacles to career advancement, harassment, and authorship misappropriation, disaggregated by gender and region. Building on these findings, Section 5 looks at the extent and limitations of institutional responses and peer support in cases of misconduct. Section 6 widens the focus to assess everyday workplace environments and perceptions of inequality. Complementing this, Section 7 contrasts the perceptions and experiences of postgraduate students with those in academic employment. The report concludes with a synthesis of key findings and policy implications.
This report underscores 少妇自拍's unwavering commitment to monitoring and fostering diversity and gender equality in political science, providing invaluable data and analysis to drive meaningful change.
少妇自拍 Survey Report - Gender Inequalities in Political Science (PDF)
